2024 SCO summit (heads of government)

Not to be confused with 2024 SCO summit.

SCO Islamabad Summit 2024
Host country	Pakistan
Date	15-16 October 2024
Cities	Islamabad
Participants	Uzbekistan Russia China India Pakistan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Belarus Iran Mongolia Turkmenistan
Chair	Shehbaz Sharif
Follows	2024 SCO summit
Website	sectsco.org

The 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, also known as the 23rd Meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government, was a diplomatic event held in Islamabad, Pakistan, from 15 to 16 October 2024, hosting leaders from various member states.

The SCO member states have reaffirmed commitment to further develop mutual cooperation in different spheres, including security, trade, economy, investment and cultural and humanitarian ties to build a peaceful, safe, prosperous and ecologically clean planet Earth.

This was stated in the Joint Communiqué adopted at the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad today.

The Heads of Delegations considered it important to pursue sustainable and inclusive economic growth by optimizing the region's potential in areas such as green development, digital economy, trade, investment, poverty alleviation, healthcare, agriculture, industry, connectivity, energy, science and technology and climate change. They stressed the importance of implementing the concept of cooperation in the development of the "New Economic Dialogue" among the SCO member states.

The SCO meeting emphasized that the principles of mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states, equality, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs, and non-use of force or threat of use of force are the basis for the sustainable development of international relations. They reaffirmed the commitment to the peaceful settlement of differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultations.                              

The Heads of Delegations considered it important to continue joint efforts to counter protectionist trade measures that are contrary to WTO rules and regulations, as well as to continue working on a transparent multilateral trading system. Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan while reaffirming support for China's One Belt, One Road initiative, noted ongoing work on joint implementation of the project, including efforts to bridge the Eurasian Economic Union and OBOR. The heads of delegations reaffirmed their desire to ensure stable economic and social development in the SCO region. They noted the importance of implementing the SCO Economic Development Strategy for the period up to 2030 and the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation of the SCO member states.

The communiqué noted that the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises is important to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. The SCO meeting instructed the relevant Ministries and Departments of the Member States to intensify consultations on the establishment of the SCO Development Bank, the SCO Development Fund and the SCO Investment Fund.

The Heads of Delegations reaffirmed the commitment to cooperate on climate change and overcome its negative consequences through the exchange of experience and the study of best practices. They instructed the relevant ministries and departments to accelerate the establishment of the activities of the Special Working Group on Climate Change, including the adoption of the relevant Regulation. The SCO meeting agreed to increasing cooperation in the prevention and treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases. They reaffirmed the need for action to strengthen global food security and improve nutrition and encourage efforts to develop cooperation in research on climate-resilient and nutritious cereal crops, including millet, rice, wheat, maize and other traditional crops.

The meeting stressed the need for deepening cooperation in the humanitarian field by introducing new formats of interaction in education, culture, tourism and sports.  It emphasized to accelerate the establishment of the Association of SCO Sports Organizations and to hold the SCO Sports Games. The heads of delegations noted the proposal to hold the "Silk Road" mini-football tournament for the SCO Member States Cup in futsal in Tehran this year. The SCO leaders noted the role of the SCO Youth Council in strengthening cooperation between youth organizations and young leaders. They emphasized that people-to-people diplomacy contributes to strengthening mutual understanding and cultural and humanitarian ties within the SCO.

Furthermore, decisions were made on a number of issues related to the financial and organizational activities of the SCO Permanent Bodies, taking into account the accession of the Republic of Belarus to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Participants

The summit saw participation from the following SCO member states, observer state and guests:

The Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar thanked his counterpart, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and the people of Pakistan for the warm reception he received. He acknowledged the significance of his meetings, including face-to-face discussions with Dar during the summit. There were news reports in the media which claimed that Pakistan and India have unofficially agreed to reengage in cricket diplomacy, with the scope and modalities of possible discussions to be determined at a later stage.

Member states

• Belarus – Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko
• China– Premier of the State Council Li Qiang
• India – Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar
• Iran – First Vice President of Iran Mohammad Reza Aref
• Kazakhstan – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Oljhas Bektenov
• Kyrgyzstan – Ministers Cabinet Chairman Akylbek Zhaparov
• Pakistan – Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif
• Russia – Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin
• Tajikistan – Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda
• Uzbekistan – Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov

Observer state

• Mongolia – Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai

Invited guests

• Turkmenistan – Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov
• SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming
• SCO RATS Executive Committee Director Ruslan Mirzayev
• SCO Business Council Chairman of the Board Atif Ikram Shaikh
• SCO Interbank Union Chairman of the Council Marat Yelibayev

Agenda

The summit's agenda focused on enhancing regional cooperation in various fields, including economy, trade, environment, sociology and culture. Important discussions were expected on regional security, economic cooperation and counterterrorism. Leaders reviewed the SCO's performance and made key organizational decisions to enhance cooperation among member countries.